Purple Heart Day

August 7 is Purple Heart Day

It’s Purple Heart Day – don’t forget to fly your flag! This medal is awarded to military personnel wounded in combat, and you can show your support of our military — especially those wounded, by proudly flying your American flag.

The Badge of Military Merit

George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1786. It was to be presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action”. A simple, purple, heart-shaped piece of silk edged with a narrow binding of silver, it had the word Merit stitched across the face in silver.

Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell, Jr. are the only three soldiers known to receive Washington’s “Purple Heart” during the Revolutionary War.

Purple Heart Revival

The “Purple Heart” was largely forgotten until 1927. A bill was sent to Congress to “revive the Badge of Military Merit” in 1927. It failed at that time, but was taken up again in 1931 by General Douglas MacArthur. He hoped to reinstate the medal by the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth. The U.S. War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart” on February 22, 1932, which was the bicentennial of Washington’s birth.

Purple Heart

Washington’s original design was changed to display a bust of George Washington and his coat of arms. The Order of the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration for military merit. It is awarded to any member of the U.S. armed forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy. It is also given to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.

Fly those flags!

Show your support for all of our military, and especially those wounded or mistreated by enemies by flying your flag! If yours is looking ragged and worn, replace it today at About Flags!